PARENTS of primary pupils in Sefton are desperate to save their schools - so much so that one group are taking their appeal to the Pope.

PARENTS of primary pupils in Sefton are desperate to save their schools - so much so that one group are taking their appeal to the Pope.

Twelve Sefton schools are earmarked for closure due to falling pupil numbers.

Paul Barker, chairman of governors at one school on the hit-list, Waterloo CoE primary St John's, said: "We recognise there needs to be a reduction in the number of schools, but to close one of the newest schools in Sefton seems an incredibly foolish route to go down."

Mother and parent governor Lynn Stokes has been one of the driving forces behind the campaign to save the school.

She said: "We want to keep a very good school open.

"There are no available places at other church schools in the area."

"We've had a parents' meeting and everybody is 100% behind it."

Meanwhile, angry Catholic parents with pupils at Bootle primary St Wilfred's and St Rich-ard's are appealing to higher authorities than the borough council. Letters are being penned to the Vatican, Buckingham Palace and No 10 Downing Street.

Mother Sandra Pavin is also trying to take out a legal injunction to prevent councillors making any further moves to shut the school.

She said: "We're not going to take this lying down. The councillors have known about this for ages, but they kept it all quiet in the run-up to the election.

"We've been told there are other places in Catholic schools, but I can't find any. Even if there were spare places, it would be a 45-minute walk from my house.

"I've got a five-year-old and a baby in a pram. How am I supposed to manage that?"

A spokesman for Sefton council said: "This is a 12-month consultation and we will look at all of the concerns, hopes and opportunities for pupils, parents and staff.

"No decisions have yet been made.

"Throughout this clear and transparent process we will ensure that the wishes and worries of all involved will be taken into account."